IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals race to 55/1 after 6 overs against KKR

Pathum Nissanka (Pic: AFP)

The Delhi Capitals raced to 55 runs for the loss of 1 wicket at the end of the powerplay against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Pathum Nissanka was the star batter as he smashed 31 runs in 18 balls.

DC openers KL Rahul and Nissanka attacked the KKR bowlers from the start and gave the hosts a quick start. KL Rahul scored 23 runs in 14 balls before being dismissed by Kartik Tyagi.

Nissanka was still at the crease after the six-over mark, as DC try to give KKR a steep target to chase in the second innings. For KKR, Kartik Tyagi was the best bowler, taking a wicket and conceding 10 runs in the first over.

Earlier, after winning the toss, Ajinkya Rahane decided to bowl first. The KKR skipper added that his players are raring to go after a little break.

"We're going to bowl first. The last 3-4 games, whatever we saw, it's been kind of very different games, 264, 160, the low scoring game against RCB as well, so I thought it's important to see the wicket, see how it's playing and then it becomes easier to bat on. But having said that, no matter winning the toss or losing the toss, it's all about playing good cricket for 40 overs. See, it's difficult, frankly, it's difficult to read the wicket." Rahane said.

Axar Patel was happy to bat first. The DC captain revealed that the hosts will go into the game with 3 spinners and 3 pacers.

"Batting first or bowling, you know, that thought is not in our hands. So, as a team, you should be ready whether it's batting first or bowling first. You just have to be on your toes from the very first ball; that is very important. There are two changes in my team - Mukesh Kumar is in place of Natarajan, and Vipraj Nigam is in. As much as I have played on Delhi wickets, I feel there isn't too much spin, but because of a little slowness, you know, the ball comes a bit slower after pitching. So I think spinners get a little help." Axar Patel said.

Confirmed playing XI for both teams:

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul(w), Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel(c), Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane(c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi(w), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy